Best Self Drive Ireland Itinerary

Thank you both of you. I was thinking of Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. I'd like to visit the Dingle Peninsula as well, but I think I would need more time for that.

Is it very difficult driving there? How are the paths conditions?

Dingle and Ring of Kerry, no doubt about it. End of discussion. Period.

Since you only have two or three days, you might want to stay closer to Dublin. Driving is very slow, and you don't want to spend most of your time just getting there. A few years ago I did a four-day trip concentrating on the Dublin area. On the first day, I traveled to Newgrange and Monasterboice. The next day I headed south of Dublin, to the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough. On the following day I drove up the east coast from Arklow back to Dublin, and spent my remaining time in Dublin (after turning in my car).

You could also drive straight across to the Galway area to visit the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. The west has dramatically different scenery than the east. The other areas mentioned are stunningly beautiful (if the weather cooperates on the 2-3 days you are there), but you'll find great scenery in any part of Ireland.

Most of the roads are great. Signs are a problem in some areas, though they were getting better the last time I was there. Yes, the little roads are narrow, but there is little actual traffic most of the time. I have been to Ireland several times and have driven each time, even alone, without a problem. And getting used to driving on the other side of the road wasn't a problem after the first hour or so.

Thank you all very much!
I am decided to go to the west now. I'll follow your advice Michael, and go to Galway by train, and then see there how we manage to visit the area. I saw that it takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes to get there by train.

Does anyone know if I can use the Eurail global pass in Irish trains?

Natalia,

You're right that Dingle does not make sense given your time limitations. Galway and the Cliffs is much more doable. I'd actually take a train from Dublin to Galway. It would only take a couple of hours, and I didn't find the drive from Galway to Dublin to be all that interesting or picturesque.

From Galway, you could take a ferry to the Aran Islands for a day, or rent a car for day trips outside the city. Head south to explore the Burren and the Cliffs; head north to explore Connemara.

As another poster mentioned, you could also profitably explore the Dublin countryside. Newgrange is a great site for ancient history, and the Wicklow Mountains to the south would help satisfy any need for beautiful scenery.